Writer: Kathleen Phillips, 979-845-2872, ka-phillips@tamu.edu
Contact: Allen Malone, 281-855-5600, amalone@ag.tamu.edu
HOUSTON – Flood waters flowed through the Houston area April 19, causing at least seven deaths and more than $5 billion in damages. The widespread toll included a state agency that also serves as a help provider in such emergencies – the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Harris County.
“AgriLife Extension services are here for the citizens of Harris County, and the flood did not stop our efforts,” said Fralonda Aubrey, the county’s urban youth development agent.
But continuing their efforts to help others meant some 25 employees had to move out of their flooded 22,000-square-foot county office for it to be gutted and rebuilt. In many cases, computers, documents, supplies, program items and a beautifully maintained community teaching garden were carried away or irreparably damaged by the flood waters, Aubrey said.
“This flood happened suddenly, affecting AgriLife Extension staff and citizens who reside near the Addicks Reservoir. We want to thank Commissioner Steve Radack and Harris County Precinct 3 staff for immediately responding to our aid and assisting with the recovery process,” said Allen Malone, AgriLife Extension director, Harris County.
The Harris County office now is set to reopen at its original location, 3033 Bear Creek Drive, Houston. The public is invited to the celebratory ribbon cutting, tour and demonstrations from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 2.
Services available from the AgriLife Extension county faculty will be highlighted at the event. The 4-H and youth program area will show how robotics and science, engineering and technology projects are a growing interest for youth in Harris County, Aubrey said. This includes the new AgriBotics Contest to take place for the first time in partnership with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March.
Other topics for the day include a Sustainable Communities Project, which aims to expose urban youth to agriculture, careers and health issues; continued support and leadership for the Harris County Master Gardener Program and a gardening project with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Center; and the new plans for the area’s Master Gardener demonstration gardens at the site. Horticulture agents will be on hand to visit with attendees.
Also, information on healthy cooking schools, diabetes education, parenting and money management classes will be available from the family and consumer sciences agents. The county’s agriculture agents will be on hand to assist local producers and ranchers with the Urban Rancher Program and other concerns.
For more information, go to http://harris.agrilife.org/.
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